Method of Hanging Shower/Bath Mats

ABSTRACT

A method for hanging a shower mat securely and free flowing in its unrolled position, utilizing hanging hooks, and holes in the bathmat that are placed over those hooks, a preferred embodiment comprises a bathmat having a top surface and a bottom surface with high friction gripping material or suction cups, side edges, a top edge, with at least two holes spaced a distance apart so that the weight of the bathmat is evenly distributed across the two hooks, the shower mat may have antibacterial and mildew resistant properties, which may be included in the material used to manufacture the shower mat, and the hooks suction cups are pushed tightly against the wall for increased suction with the downward movement of the hook.

This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 62/899,327, filed 12 Sep. 2019.

This U.S. patent application is a Continuation-In-Part of and co-pending with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/988,625.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bath tub and shower mats and has particular reference to an elastomeric bath mat having associated therewith novel means whereby the same may be supported when not in use in a flat unfolded condition on the inner surface of the inside or outside side wall of a bath tub where it may be dried by a drip action.

BACKGROUND

Bathtubs and shower stalls are frequently provided with rubber or plastic safety mats to prevent the bather from slipping therein and to avoid any possible resultant injuries. After use, the mats are usually left in a wet condition on the bottom of the tub or the floor of the shower stall with the result that the mat may soon develop bacteria, mold and/or mildew or deteriorate in a way that causes an unsightly appearance.

Various proposals have been made to suspend shower/bath mats, for purposes of drying the mats when not in use. In one arrangement, a framework including suitable linkage is secured to the wall of the bathtub, and the mat is pivotally connected to the linkage, whereby the linkage and associated mat are swung to an inoperative position when not in use. In another arrangement, the mat is provided with a plurality of suction cups and/or magnets, whereby the mat is adapted to tightly grip the wall of the tub.

While these arrangements have been satisfactory for their intended purposes, they have been subject to certain disadvantages, such as, the cost to manufacture, their bulkiness in design, and in the case where the mat is gripped on the side wall of the tub, the mat will not dry as efficiently as it would if freely suspended; thus, there is a tendency for the mat to deteriorate while on the side of the tub.

Three prior patents seem to most relevant to the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,663 comprises, essentially, a mat having hanger means integrally connected to one end of the mat whereby the mat may be freely suspended from a towel rack, or other suitable support, positioned in proximity to the tub or shower. The hanger means comprises a pair of key-hole slots provided adjacent one end of the mat and a pair of straps formed integrally with the mat and extending from the end of the mat in alignment with the key-hole slots, a head or button member being provided on the end of each strap, whereby the mat, when not in use, may be hung to dry on a towel rack by wrapping the straps around the rack and inserting the button members into the slots.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,044 comprises An improved portable shower and bath mat including a non-absorbent mat having a non-slip bottom surface and having a channeled bottom surface and a plurality of drain holes through said pad to permit water to drain through said pad to the channels in the bottom surface of said pad and into the shower or bath drain.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,020,562 comprises an elastomeric bath mat having associated therewith novel means whereby the same may be supported when not in use in a flat unfolded condition on the inner surface of the outside side wall of a bath tub where it Will be substantially concealed from view and where it may automatically be dried by a drip action.

A patent application US20140138508 is also relevant, though it deals with an exercise mat. It comprises a baseboard or mounting portion connected to a clip or securing portion, which together gently but firmly exert compression across the width of an exercise mat. The securing portion (“clip”) may consist of one or more clips, clamps or cams positioned along the width of the mat.

All of these patents or applications are designed to hang over a shower door, towel rack or other object already in the shower area. This method invention instead uses hooks or similar devices that are installed in the shower/bath area, with holes in the shower/bath mat situated to go over the hooks. The advantage of this approach is to offer more air flow around the shower/bath mat to create better drying of the shower/bath mat, to prevent mildew, and mold buildup between uses of the shower/bath mat. This method also utilizes antibacterial and mildew resistant properties, which may be included in the material used to manufacture the shower/bath mat.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an improved shower/bath mat hanging combination for freely suspending the mat from a set of hooks or similar device to facilitate the drying of the mat when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved shower/bath mat drying system that leaves the shower/bath mat freely suspended, versus being doubled up over a towel rack while drying.

Another object of the present invention for the shower/bath mat is to have antibacterial and mildew resistant properties, which may be included in the material used to manufacture the shower/bath mat.

Another object of the invention is to have a method to strongly adhere the hook to the wall so the mat does not fall down. The hook device in this method has a rotating hinge, that when the hinge is pulled from the up to the down position the suction cup is secured against the wall and forces the air out between the suction cup and wall, in effect creating a vacuum, forcing the air out and creating a tight seal. This prevents a common occurrence with suction cups, when air works under the edge of the suction or vacuum cup, the seal will break and the suction cup will fall off.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to the improvements of this invention, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements, comprising the invention, may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-described problems are relieved by the present invention providing hooks for hanging a shower/bath mat securely and free flowing in its unrolled position, utilizing hanging hooks, and holes in the bathmat that are placed over those hooks. A preferred embodiment comprises a bathmat having a top surface and a bottom surface with high friction gripping material or suction cup, side edges, a top edge, with at least two holes spaced a distance apart so that the weight of the bathmat is evenly distributed across the two hooks. In order not to damage the bathmats the holes may be reinforced. The shower/bath mat may have antibacterial and mildew resistant properties, which may be included in the material used to manufacture the shower/bath mat.

The hooks or similar holding devices offer various hanging solutions enable hanging the holder and mat from a shower/bath wall, bathroom wall or door, or other structure, with a hook base length sufficient to space a mat from a wall to allow free flowing air on all sides of the shower/bath mat.

When hung over a door or affixed to a wall, the hanging solution enables spacing the mat from the door or wall to permit air to flow along, and dry, both sides. The mat dries in its normal deployed shape and avoids being curled or cracked.

The method also includes the use of hook with a hinge component that secures the suction cup to the wall for a tight fit. Moving the hinge from the up position to the position bottom secures the suction cup to the wall which creates a tight seal.

A second embodiment of the method is to use an overlay hook to go over towel rank or top of shower/bath drawer, rather than hooks that attach to the wall, to suspend the shower/bath mat for drying.

The main embodiment of this method has the shower/bath mat hanging down with the shortest side parallel to the floor, and the longest side perpendicular to the floor. A third embodiment of this method places three holes along the longest side of the shower/bath mat so that the shower bath mat can hang with the shortest side perpendicular to the floor, and the longest side parallel to the floor.

PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION

L1 thickness measurement of shower/bath mat

L2 length of the main body of the shower/bath mat

L3 width of the main body of the shower/bath mat

D1 distance the holes 26 are space from each other

D2 distance the holes 26 are spaced from the side edges of the main body of the shower/bath mat

D3 distance the holes 26 are from the top edge of the main body of the shower/bath mat

10. shower/bath mat

20. shower/bath mat main body

22. top surface of shower/bath mat

24. bottom surface of shower/bath mat

25. perimeter of shower/bath mat

25 a. side edges of shower/bath mat

25 b. top edge of shower/bath mat

26. holes within the shower/bath mat for placement over the hooks

28. suction cups

30. hook

32. hook hinge

34. hook base

35. pin that the hook rotates around

37. L shaped cavity to facilitate movement

39. suction cup on hook base

41. connecting element of the hook component to go over a tower rack

43. hook to go over towel rank or top of shower/bath drawer

45. a bottom hook to hold the shower/bath mat

47. post on the suction cup that moves into the hook base to secure the suction cup to the wall

49. holes that are added in the additional embodiment so the shower/bath mat can hang with the longest side parallel to the floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower/bath mat with holes hanging from hooks according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectioned view taken along lines L2 in FIG. 1 and shown thickness L1 of the shower/bath mat.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing lines L2 and L3, and distances D1, D2 and D3.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hook.

FIG. 5 is a view of the shower/bath hook base with hinge in the up-position before engaging the suction cup.

FIG. 6 is a view of the shower/bath hook base with hinge in the mid-position toward engaging the suction cup.

FIG. 7 is a view of the hinge with the hook in the downward position, engaging the suction cup.

FIG. 8 is a view of the second hook for the second embodiment, which has on one end a rounded section to go over a towel rack and a hook on the other end.

FIG. 9 is a view of the shower/bath mat with additional holes along the longest side so that the longest end can be parallel to the floor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-described drawing figures illustrate components of the preferred embodiment of this method invention, a shower/bath mat 10 that that includes holes 26 for hanging the shower/bath mat 10, and a hook 30 that is attached to a surface so that the holes in the mat will fit over the hook.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shower/bath mat 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the shower/bath mat 10 has a main body 20 having a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24 that extend outwardly to a perimeter 25. The bottom surface 24 may be a high friction gripping material or suction cups. The perimeter 25 includes side edges 25 a and a top edge 25 b. The main body 20 is generally shaped to fit in and substantially cover a shower/bath or tube (rectangular, oval etc.) and includes at least two holes 26 being spaced a distance from the perimeter 25 described in greater detail below. The holes 26 are also spaced a distance apart so that the width of the shower/bath mat 10 may be evenly distributed on the hooks 30 while hanging. The hooks 30 may be included with the shower/bath mat 10 or separately and are described in greater detail below. The holes 26 may be reinforced with extra material or an insert with hole attachment.

FIG. 2. is a sectional view of the shower/bath mat 10 taken along lines L2 in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the bottom surface includes suction cups 28, but in other embodiments the bottom surface 24 may be in the form of any high-friction/non-slip material or structures such as silicone, soft-foam, rubber etc. The suction cups 28 may be the form of cups or suction channels, or the shower/bath mat 10 may be lined with material to suction the entire shower/bath mat 10 in place.

As shown in FIG. 2 the main body 20 having the top surface 22 and bottom surface 24 further has a thickness 1.1. In some embodiments 1.1 may be between 1 and 3 mm, in this example, the thickness 1.1 is approximately 2.1 mm (not including the suction cups 28).

An object of the present invention for the shower/bath mat 10 is to have antibacterial and mildew resistant properties, which may be included in the material used to manufacture the shower/bath mat 10.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the showerbath mat 10, showing the placement of the holes 26 relative to the main body 20. As FIG. 3 illustrates, a line 1.2 measures the length of the main body 20, and a line 1.3 measures the width of the main body 20. In some embodiments, 1.2 may be between 27-32 inches, and 1.3 may between 12 and 17 inches, In this example, 1.2 is approximately 30 inches, and 1.3 is approximately 15 inches. However in other examples, 1.2 and 1.3 may vary within an appropriate range. For the purpose of this application, “approximately” is hereby defined to mean +/−15% of the given measurement.

FIG. 3 further shows the holes 26 each laterally spaced a distance D1 From each other, a distance D2 from the side edges 25 a and spaced a distance D3 from the top edge 25 b. In some embodiments D1 is approximately 11.5 inches, D2 is approximately 2 inches, and D3 is approximates 1.3 inches. In other embodiments these distances may be greater or less that the provided examples, as long as holes 26 are located in the upper 10% of the mat 10.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hook 30, which align with the shower/bath mat holes when hanging the shower/bath mat 10 to dry. As shown in FIG. 4 the hook 30 includes a hook portion 32 connected to a base portion 34 by a hinge 32. However, in other embodiments the hook 30 may be connected to the hook base 34 without the hinge 32. The hooks 30 are sized and adapted to fit through the holes 26 of the shower/bath mat 10 and support the weight of the shower/bath mat 10. The dimension of the holes 26 may be approximately between five and 10 mm, this embodiment 8 mm. However, in other embodiments the holes 26 may have larger or smaller dimensions, as deemed suitable by those in the art.

In this embodiment, hook base 34 of the hook 30 is in the form of a suction cup for securing to a shower/bath wall, but in other embodiments the hook base 34 may be secured to a wall or mounting surface using other means, e.g, a strong adhesive, apertures for receiving nails, etc. In one example, (not shown) the base 34 is in the form of a second hook which may be hung from a towel bar or other similar structure.

The hook 30 may be lightweight and constructed of plastic, vinyl or other material known to those skilled in the art. In this embodiment, each hook 30 is 9.7 grams, but on other embodiments' the hooks 30 may weigh more or less than this.

FIG. 5 is a view of the hook base with the hook in the up position. The hinge has a pin 35 that the hook rotates around, an L shaped space 37, post 47 that connects the hook base 34 and the suction cup 39, and that retracts into the hook base as the hinge is pulled down.

FIG. 6 is a view of the hook base with the hook in the middle. The hinge has a pin 35 that the hook rotates around, an L shaped space 37, post 47 that connects the hook base 34 and the suction cup 39, and that retracts into the hook base as the hinge is pulled down.

FIG. 7 is a view of the hook base with the hook in the middle. The hinge has a pin 35 that the hook rotates around, an L shaped space 37, post 47 that connects the hook base 34 and the suction cup 39, and that retracts into the hook base as the hinge is pulled down.

FIG. 8 is a view of the second hook, which has an overlay section 43 to go over a towel rack or the top of a shower, a base 11 and a bottom hook 45 to hold the shower/bath mat.

FIG. 9 is a view of the third embodiment, showing the two extra holes in the long of the shower/bath mat, so that the long side can hang parallel to the floor.

As used in this application the words “a”. “an” and one are defined to include one or more of the referenced items unless specifically stated otherwise. Also the terms “have,” “include,” “contain” and similar items are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. 

I claim:
 1. A method for drying shower/bath mats comprising: a. a shower mat with antibacterial and mildew resistant properties, meaning to inhibit bacteria or mildew from multiplying, and holes within the shower mat, the holes placed within 10% of the shower/bath mat's length from the shorter edge of the shower/bath mat, and each hole being equal distance from a side edge of the shower/bath mat, which is the longer side of the shower/bath mat; a top surface and a bottom surface with suction cups, side edges, and a top edge which is the shorter edge of the shower bath mat; b. hooks comprising a base and a hinge, which allows the hook to rotate 180 plus degrees, with the hooks sized to hold the holes in the shower/bath mat, the hook having a size that can space the mat more than one inch from a wall, the hook having a base and a hinge, the base containing a suction cup, with the suction cup connected to the base with a post that secures the suction cup tightly on the wall as the post is pulled down; whereby the shower/bath mat holes when placed over the hooks allow the mat to hang straight down, the hook base allowing the mat to hang away from the wall to facilitate drying.
 2. The method of claim 1 where the holes are reinforced with extra material such as an eyelet or grommet.
 3. The method of claim 1 where the base has holes for screws.
 4. The method of claim 1 where a second hook with a top section that fits over a towel rack or shower door, or shower head, and a bottom section which inserts into the shower/bath mat holes, the top and bottom sections connected by a connecting element.
 5. The method of claim 1 where the holes placed within 10% of the shower/bath mat's length from the longer edge of the shower/bath mat, and each hole being equal distance from the longer edge of the shower/bath mat; a top surface and a bottom surface with suction cups, side edges, which are the shorter edges of the shower/bath mat, and a top edge which is the longer edge of the shower bath mat. 